Wheel spinner



4 Sheets-Sheet l WHEEL SPINNER M. S. MERRELL ET AL `Fan. 24, 1956 Filed March 2'?, 1953 ickson a SH Ril mn Ne @Mr N.E 7.8. SH Uwl lle e mw GL M Y B ATTORNEY .MTHM

Jan. 24, 1956 M. S. MERRILL ET AL WHEEL SPINNER Filed March 27, 1953 4 Sheets-Shee 2 INI/ENTORS Marcellus S. Merrill By Lowell H. Erickson ATTORN EY Jan. 24, 1956 M s, MERRlLL ET AL WHEEL SPINNER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I/VVENTORS Morcellus. Merrill 3 BY LOWS!! H.

Filed March 2'1", 195.3

Erlckson www AT TO R N EY Jan. 24, 1956 Filed March 27, 1955 M. E. MERRILL ET AL WHEEL SPINNER ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Shea t 4 INVENTORS Marcellus S. Merrlll Lowell H. Erlckson United States Patent s 2,731,841 WHEEL SPINNER Marellus Samuel Merrill and Lowell H. Erickson, Denver, Colo.; said Erickson assigner to said Merri Application March 27, 1953, Serial No. 344,99 7 Claims. (Cl. 745-16) This invention relates to spinners for wheels and more particularly one of the heavy duty type for spinning autos, by way of example.

V Another object is to produce a heavy duty portable wheel spinner in which the weight thereof can be emswivel the spinner on a nYet a further object is to employ the handle as a switch control member to (ther objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

ported on the transporting wheels;

Figure 3 is a top view of the wheel spinner with parts being broken away and the handle in a lowered position so that the spinner rests on its support plate with the transporting wheels oil? the floor;

2,731,841 Patented Jan. 24, 1956 as shown in Figure 4, said view being from the handle and spinning pulley end;

Figure 7 is a view showing the brake for the spinning pulley and the structure whereby it is actuated by the handle arms;

as shown in Figures l and 2, so the plate P is olf the oor and the entlre spinner is supported wholly on the wheels, there is provided a latch means between the handle and the motorbase.

The blocks are set at an angle, as can be As best shown in Figure 3, the handle shaft carries a latch member 31 for cooperation with block 29. The latch member has a portion which slides in the tubular member and an extension which projects outwardly through a slot in the shaft so as to cooperate with the latch block 29. The latch block has secured thereto an actuating rod 32 which extends upwardly through the tubular shaft toward the curved connecting section 22 of the handle. Near this connecting section is a knurled actuating sleeve 33 which is slidabie on the exterior of the shaft 20 and of sufficient length to be grasped by the full hand of an operator. The sleeve is connected to the rod within the tube by a connecting structure 34 which is arranged to slide in a slot in the shaft whenever the sleeve is moved longitudinally. Thus, it will be seen that an outward pull on motor base. seen in Figure 8.

the sleeve 33 can actuate the latch member 31 at the lower end or the shaft. In order that the latch member may be normally biased to a position where it will engage beneath the lower end of the latch block 29, a spring 35 is provided in surrounding relation to the rod 32 and is arranged to be interposed between the latch and a block 36 positioned within the shaft and fixed thereto and through which the rod 32 can slide.

Also carried by the lower end of the shaft 21 of the handle is a latch 37 for cooperation with the latch bloei'` 30 carried by the motor base adjacent the shaft. This latch block is arranged to be actuated by structure which is the same as that already described. Connected to the latch block is a rod 38 which extends upwardly through the shaft and is joined to a knurled sleeve 39 slidable on the outside of the shaft by a connecting means 4t). The latch member is biased downwardly to a position where it can engage beneath the latch block by spring structure (not shown) which will be the same as the spring structure employed with the latch 31.

With the described latch means carried by the lower end of each shaft of the handle, it will be seen that if the end connecting section of the handle is moved upwardly to the raised position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two latches will move downwardly and engage beneath the lower ends of the angular latch blocks, all as illustrated by the long dashed lines in Figure S. Due to the angular position of the latch blocks, it will be seen that as the handle is raised and the wheels caused to engage with the oor and then the motor, spinner pulley and base plate raised upwardly oif the floor, the latches will slide downwardly on the sides of the latch blocks and be caused to move upwardly in the handle shafts, thereby cornpressing the springs which act upon the latches. When the handle reaches such a position that the latches are free to move past the end of the latch blocks, the springs will cause them to snap to this position and thus the handle will be locked and maintained in its up position with the spinner being supported only on the wheels for easy transporting.

Whenever it is desired to lower the spinner and cause it to raise on the oor through the base plate only, then it is only necessary for the operator to grasp both the knurled sliding sleeves on the upper ends of the two handle shafts and pull them toward the curved section of the handle. This will pull the latches to positions where they no longer will be engageable with the lower ends of the latch blocks and the handle can then be allowed to move downwardly, with the result that the base plate will be brought into engagement with the floor and the spinner will be supported solely on this base plate. The wheels are then free of the oor. With the spinner thus resting on the base plate, the motor base, motor and the spinning pulley can then be swiveled around on the base plate as desired, merely by swinging the handle, since this handle has its two shafts connected to the motor base on opposite sides thereof.

Wehave also found it desirable to have the starting and stopping of the motor controllable by the handle. This is accomplished when the handle means is in the lower position where the spinner base plate is resting on the floor. For simplicity, we operate the starting and stopping switch of the motor by the latch 37 carried on the shaft 21 of the handle. Referring now to Figures l, 8 and 9, the side flange of the motor base 13 has pivoted thereto a lever 4l which will have at its rear end an L- shaped portion 42 to lie over the base ange just forwardly of the latch block 3i) and so arranged that the latch 37 can be positioned above the L.shaped extension when the handle is lowered to bring the wheels off the floor. The front end of the lever 41 lies alongside of another arm 43 which will be pivoted on the end of a shaft 44 carried by the front of the motor base. The forward end of lever 41 terminates slightly to the rear of shaft 44 and is connected to the forward end of arm 43 through a spring 45, which spring will be employed to actuate the arm 43 whenever the lever 41 is actuated. The shaft 44 extends beneath the switch 46 of the motor which is enclosed within a suitable switch box. The end of the shaft 44 also has secured thereto a short arm 47 which is pivotally connected to a link 4S that operates the switch.

When the handle is in theidown position, as shown by the short dashed lines in Figure 8, the switch will be in its off position and it will be held there by the operation of a spring 49 acting upon the underneath side of the L-shaped ange 42 of the lever 4i., said spring being enclosed within a cylinder member 5t) attached to the ange of the motor base. If, under these conditions with the latch 37 overlying the the curved section end of the handle should be raised, the latch 37 will move downwardly and swing the lever 41 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8, thereby raising up the front end of the lever 4i. The upward movement of this lever il will, through the spring 4S, then operate the arm 47V and link 48 and throw the switch to the on or closed position, thereby starting the motor. By lowering the curved end of the handle and raising the latch 37, the switch will automatically be opened by the upward movement of the lever 41 under the action of the spring 49.

Electrical power for operating the motor will be brought in through the forward end of the spinner by means of a suitable electrical cord 51 connected through the switch to the motor, as shown in Figure l. This'cord will be of considerable length and in order that it'may be readily carried with the spinner when it is desired to transport the spinner, the two shafts of the handle are provided with hooks C upon which the cord can be looped. A suitable removable cover 52 will be provided to enclose the switch and part of the operating mechanism for controlling the switch.

For convenience of operation, we also employ the handle to actuate a brake for the spinner pulley, so when the motor is cut off the spinner pulley can be braked and therethrough brake any wheel that has been spun. The inside of the spinning pulley, as best shown in Figures 3 and 7, will act a brake drum with which can engage a brake shoe 53. The central part of the shoe is pivotally mounted on a pin 54 which extends laterally from the central part of a horizontal brake actuator rod 55 positioned just rearwardly of the pulley and near the lower side thereof. This rod is of such length that its ends will be in a position to be engaged by the shafts Ztl and 21V of the handle upon lowering thereof. Thus, by moving the handle down, the brake shoe can be brought into engagement with the inner surface of the spinning pulley, all as illustrated in Figures 5 and 7. To carry the rod 55 on the motor base plate and yet permit it to be actuatedrby the handle, the two ends of the rod just inwardly ofk where the ends will be engaged by the handle shafts are provided with foiwardly extending arms 56 and 57.v Asbest shown in Figures l and 7, each of these arms carries space L-shaped end of the lever 41,V

bolts 58 and 59 extension of the move slide in the motor base. As a result, the brake shoe will be brought into engagement with the inside of the spinning wheel and braking action will take place. brake is operated, the two springs 60 will be compressed easy manner. The wheels will be caused to rest on a oor or other supporting surface and the entire spinner structure including the motor spinner wheel supported solely on the wheels by merely raising the curved end of the handle to its up position where the latches engage beneath thelatch blocks in a manner indicated in the long dashed complished by merely swinging the motor and the spinning pulley on the base plate. illustrates the direction of movement of the handle to bring about frictional engagement between the spinning pulley and the tire tread. The motor is now caused to be started by raising up on the curved end, all as previously described and illustrated by the arrow 62 and the g end of the handle will then be 6 upper dashed lines. thel spinning of the line position shown in Figure 5 andl also the position shown in short dashed lines in Figure 8.

If it is desired to stop the spinning wheel quickly after unbalance is During upward the handle, the latches latch blocks and when Y position where the latches are beyond the lower ends of the blocls, they will, under spring action, move beneath the ends of the blocks and thereby lock the handle so as to maintain the motor and spinning pulley together with the base plate supported on the Wheels. Transporting can then be easily accomplished by pushing on the handle.

From the foregoing description it will our improved heavyl duty spinner is simple in construction and easily operable. All conditioning of the spinner for transporting, positioning for spinning operations, causing it to rest on the lloor by the base plate, together with the starting and stopping of the motor and the braking of the spinning pulley, is accomplished by movement of the handle or by control means on the handle. Engagement between the spinning pulley and the wheel to be spun is easily accomplished and controlled as desired by manipulation of the handle. Notwithstanding the fact that the motor and spinning pulley are heavy units, the transporting of the spinner is easily performed whenever the motor and spinner are supported solely upon the wheels. Raising of the motor and spinner onto the wheels is any great effort, due to the high leverage ratio resulting from the long handle and the pivoting thereof to the motor base close to the When the spinner is condiends carrying the wheels.

quite evenly balanced on the be seen that tioned for transporting it is wheels, thus permitting easy pushing and pulling of the spinner.

We have disciosed an electric motor driven spinner, but it is believed obvious that other motors can be employed and controlled by the handle in the same manner as has been described with the electric motor,

Being awareof the possibility of modifications in the wheel spinner illustrated and described as embodying our invention, all without departing from the fundamental desire it to be understood is not to be limited in any manner, except in accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable spinner for rotating a suspended vehicle wheel or the like, comprising, in combination, a base adapted to rest on a support surface, a spinning unit pivotally mounted on the base for swinging movement about a generally vertical axis, the spinning unit including a driving motor and a spinning wheel connected to the motor and spaced horizontally from the vertical swinging axis of the unit, a long transport handle swingably connected to the spinning unit, and a pair of retractable transport wheels interconnected with the handle near the pivotal connection of the latter to the spinning unit to be moved downwardly to an operative transport position extending below the base and retracted by vertical swinging movement of the handle in opposite directions, the handle serving as a convenient means for applying high leverage turning force to the spinning unit to carry the spinning wheel horizontally into firm engagement with a wheel to be rotated when the transport wheels have been retracted and the spinner is resting on the base.

2. ln a portable heavy duty spinner for rotating a vehicle wheel or the like, the combination of a base adapted to maintain a steady iixed position when rested on a support surface, a spinning unit including a motor and a spinning wheel connected to be rotated by the motor, means pivotally supporting the spinning unit on the base for swinging movement about a generally vertical axis spaced frorn the center of the wheel, and a long operating handle connected to the spinning unit and having a length several times greater than the spacing between the center of the spinning wheel and the vertical swinging axis of the spinning unit to apply a high leverage turning force to the spinning unit to carry the spinning wheel thereof horizontally into lirrn engagement with a body to be rotated.

3. A portable heavy duty spinner for rotating a suspended vehicle wheel or the like comprising, in combination, base means adapted to maintain a stationary xed position when rested on a support surface, a spinning unit including a motor anda spinning wheel connected for rotation by the motor, means pivotally supporting the spinning unit on the base means for swinging movement about a generally vertical axis spaced from the center of the spinning wheel, a long operating handle swingably connected to the spinning unit and having a length several times greater than the spacing between the swinging axis of the spinning unit and the center of the spinning wheel to apply a high leverage horizontal rotating movement to the spinning unit to carry the spinning wheel firmly into engagement with a wheel to be rotated, at least one transport wheel connected to the handle in spaced relation to the pivotal connection to the latter to the spinning unit to be moved vertically into and out of an operative position extending below the base as an incident to reverse vertical swinging movement of the handle, a brake for spinning wheel, and actuating means for the brake coacting with the handle to apply the brake as an incident to predetermined vertical movement of the handle.

4. A portable heavy duty spinner for rotating suspended vehicle wheels and the like, comprising, in combination, a base adapted to maintain a lixed stationary position when rested on a support surface, a spinning unit swingably connected to the base, the spinning unit including a motor and a spinning wheel connected for rotation by the motor and located with its center spaced from the swingable connection of the unit to the base, a vertically swingable transport and operating handle connected to the spinning unit for swinging the unit on the base to carry the spinning wheel firmly against a wheel to be rotated, the handle having a length several times the distance between the center or" the spinning wheel and the swingable connection of the spinning unit to the base to provide a high leverage multiplication of manual force applied to the handle as transmitted to the spinning wheel, and retractable transport wheels disposed near the central portion of the spinner and connected with the handle to be moved by the latter toward and away from an operative position extending below the base.

5. A portable heavy duty spinner for rotating a vehicle wheel or the like, comprising, in combination, a base adapted to maintain a steady unmoving position when lowered onto a support surface, a spinning unit mounted on the base for generally horizontal swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis, the spinning unit including a motor and a spinning wheel connected for rotation by the motor and located with its center spaced from the vertical swinging axis of the unit, a vertically swin gable transport and operating handle connected to the spinning unit for rotating the latter on the base, the handle having a length several times greater than the spacing between the center of the spinning wheel and the vertical swinging axis of the spinning unit to provide a high leverage multiplication of horizontal force manually applied to the handle as transmitted to the spinning Wheel, at least one transport wheel connected to the transport handie for movement thereby into and out of an operative position extending below the base, and releasable latching means for latching the transport wheel in operative position.

6. A portable spinner for rotating a suspended vehicle wheel or the like, comprising, in combination, base means adapted to maintain a steady unmoving position when lowered onto a support surface, a spinning unit swingably mounted on the base means and including a motor and spinning wheel connected for rotation bythe motor, a swingable transport and operating handle connected to the spinning unit to swing the latter on the base to carry the spinning wheel into engagement with a wheel to be rotated, at least one retractable transport wheel disposed near the central portion of the spinner and connected with the handle to be moved by the latter toward and away from an operative position extending below the base, releasable latching means for latching the transport wheel in operative position, a brake for the spinning wheel, and an actuator for the brake coacting with the handle to apply the brake as an incident to a predetermined swinging movement of the handle. Y 7. A portable heavy duty spinner for rotating a suspended vehicle wheel or the like, comprising, in combination, base means adapted to maintain a Steady delinite position when lowered onto a support surface, a spinning unit swingably mounted on the base for generally horizontal swinging movement about a generally vertical axis, a vertically swingable handle pivotally connected to the spinning unit for rotating the latter horizontally on the base to carry the spinning wheel thereof into engagement with a wheel to be rotated, retractable transport wheels located near the central portion of the spinner and connected with the handle for movement thereby into and out of operative position extending below the base, releasable latching means coacting with the handle and the spinner unit to latch the transport wheels in operative position, a brake for the spinning wheel, an actuator for the orake coacting with the handle to apply the brake as an incident to predetermined swinging movement of the handle, and control switch means for the motor positioned to be operated by swinging movement of the handle.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 

